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Greetings! It’s been a while since I last post something here, I guess it’s been a couple of months *my bad*. But I actually have loads of story to tell, and hopefully I could schedule it for every Sunday morning at 8 AM. Yes, I am re-scheduling my blog post to Sunday morning instead of Saturday night.

So a couple of months ago me and some of the parents from Rama’s playgroup arranged a playdate to visit one of the most epic playground in Jakarta. Kidzania in Pacific Place (woohoo!!). I mean who would not know Kidzania? It’s like a dream playground for any child in the whole world, my inner child included.

We were quite lucky to find a bargain for group of visitor which they charged for discount. So for me and Rama plus his lunch box are charged for IDR 300k (feeling lucky). It was a bit confusing at first with 15 childrens and 27 adults in one group. But thankfully the head group (Chiki) was already familiar with Kidzania rules and game flow. She even provided us with Kidzania map which she got from the internet. I was a bit dissapointed though to know that Kidzania did not provide any maps for the visitor, because it was quite confusing without it.

Each of us were given a watch like hand wrist that has the children ID, package info, and time of visit. They also provide you with a bank cheque that you could use to withdraw some kidzos (the currency in Kidzania). We were granted 50 kidzos that we used some for medical checkup and driving license permit. Once Rama got the license he can then find a job and drive car (kids these days are taught to grow up faster).

The driving license test took only a few minute, we were not that lucky since the place just started to open hence the older kids hasn’t arrived yet to work at the gas station. If you were lucky, when the older kids start to work at the gas station then your kid could play a bit longer and have their car fill up.

Eventhough Rama had already got his driving license, since it’s his first trip to Kidzania we thought it will be wise to take him on one of the easy job. We chose, construction.

Basically it’s a lego brick kind of game. And boy does my son LOVE to play lego and/or bricks. Although at first he was scared and cried a bit because he thought he will be left alone in the zone without me, but as soon as he realize that I am standing right in front of him he felt relax and was able to play with his friend.

Next stop, we tried the Sari Roti station. Here, the boys had to act as if they are working in a bread store. Although actually all they did was putting on some chocolate jam to the bread and then made some bread stamps. Hahahaha but I just love how they look cute with the apron and everything. My lil’ baker.

But my favourite place there had to be the SilverQueen station. Because not only the kids were able to learn how chocolate is made, they also receive their own handmade mini chunky bar chocolate. As if they just come out of the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory 😀

If you got confused with a picture of Rama brushing a shoe, that’s mine. He play the role as a shoe cleaner. Didn’t expect that it was going to be me who got cleaned. But at least now Rama know that it takes quite the effort to earn some money.

The last picture was a bit of victory moment for him. Because whenever we take a bus ride at the airport, he always asked for a stand up while holding the bar on the bus. And he never did, because of his height issue. Hence, when he saw the super tiny bus he got extremely excited and try out the bar handle. He did it! Such a victorious moment he got there.

So there you go, his first ever playdate with his classmate. Hope this won’t be the last. Where shall we go next?

Last week Bowie and a few of his friend took a trip to one of the Kepulauan Seribu (a thousand island). The island that they are visiting is called Pulau Harapan or in English means the Island of Hope.

In case you are wondering if this is somekind of luxurious trip, no it isn’t. It’s actually more of a backpacker trip with standard accommodation but a lifetime experience. Bowie sure did had a lot of fun. Why do I keep on saying Bowie at this post? Because I didn’t join them on their trip. I’m not a backpacker type, especially with a four-year old son. Hmm…think I’ll leave this one for Bowie to enjoy.

So moving on, Bowie gave me some headsup about what the journey will be like and how much it cost. Thought I’d share with you all just in case there’s some reader interested on this island.

The trip starts from Muara Angke. It’s a local port for fisherman that now has develop as the local port for tourists visiting Pulau Seribu. Bowie and his friend took a two-days package to Pulau Harapan for Rp380.000/person. This package include the boat ride from Muara Angke – Pulau Harapan – Muara Angke, one night stay at the local guest house and 3 meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). If by chance you are visiting the island for more than 10 person, you’ll get a discount and will only paid Rp350.000/person.

The trip from Muara Angke to Pulau Harapan took about 3 hours boat ride. Advice, get to the port as early as possible. Because Bowie got there at 7.30 AM but still didn’t manage to ride inside the boat. Hence, he and the team had to sit on top of the boat and experience the heat for the almost 3 hours.

On their first day of excursion they were taken to three different snorkeling spot and a trip to Pulau Bulat. The snorkeling spot was okay and you get to experienced swimming and feeding small fishes while getting a hold of a starfish. Notes advice, be careful of sea urchin when swimming near the coral. There are lots of them and I can assure you that it won’t be a pleasure if you got hit by one.

Once you’re finished snorkeling around the spot the tour guide will take you for a sightseeing on Pulau Bulat. However, there is not much to see except for the sea and having some beach walk around the island.

On the second day of excursion, you’ll experienced a visit to turtle shelter and another island trip to Pulau Birah. Bowie did’nt get to go there though, because their chartered boat got a bit of technical difficulties so they had to re-route and boat around Pulau Semut instead.

By the way, if you are wondering about their accommodation, they were staying at a local house which was rented for tourist. It was decent with air condition, three bedroom, one bathroom and entertainment room. By entertainment I mean TV room which also functioned as the living room.

To wrap it up, it was a nice trip to go to if you’re one of those who love to enjoy water sport and being on an island. But if you are someone more like me, I guess it’s always better to get a heads up and be prepared for whatever is going to happen on your backpacker trip.

It’s been a while since our last visit to Saung Apung. The last time we came here was to celebrate Rama’s 4th birthday with some families and cousins. But here we are, again visiting Saung Apung for another relaxing break. This time we get to sit in a bungalow and right on top of the fishing pond. Rama was super excited! He can’t wait to get himself a fishing rod and catch one to take home. Here you need to pay Rp2.000 (around USD 0.15) for one pax of fish lure. Quite cheap since the pax can satisfy your fishing hunger for ages, like literally long enough to make you bored if you’re not in to fishing that much. It really depends on how you do your fishing and how patience you are waiting for your bait to get caught by the fish, rather than taken by the ducks or accidentally drop from your rod. We were all enjoyed the time spent there while watching Bowie and his father tried to catch a fish for Rama. It wasn’t easy to catch one since our bungalow spot had some un-invited visitors, Mr. and Mrs. duck.

Bowie was quite determined to catch some fish though, even my father in-law was getting in the mood and starts to tell a bit of his younger time while fishing in the sea. Teeeheee…I think he might bring Rama and Bowie to the sea if he’s still in to fishing. Thankfully he’s retired from those days and now prefer a still water like a pond which is easier and less risky than the sea. I would definitely prefer fishing in the pond. I don’t really like the idea spending the night at sea on a boat. It spooks me out.

By the way, you need to take off your shoes though to sit in this bungalow. My advice, keep it simple on the shoe preference. You don’t want to look silly wearing a boot that’s hard to take off and end up sitting in the corner of the bungalow with your feet lay down.

Overall we were having fun at Saung Apung. Even though we didn’t catch any big fish (the only fish Bowie caught was a thumb size fish that we think will be wiser to put back in to the pond).

If you’re a resident of Jakarta, you’ll surely hear about this place where you can enjoy good quality of crab with a little bit of twist. Unlike any other restaurant I’ve visited, this place offered you the unique experience of having your meal laying down on your table without any plates. Yup, you read it right. They literally put your meal on the table with no plates. But beforehand they put this giant size brown paper to cover the table so you don’t have to worry that you’ll be eating anything dirty from what’s left in the table.

Also, in case you are wondering what the hell am I wearing…that is actually a bibs provided by the staff for us to use while eating. It made me feel a bit ridiculus at first, but when we start to dig in our food I feel reliefed that I’m having the bibs on. Otherwise, I’ll have my shirt all dirty from the sauce and everything. Hahahaha…not trying to be barbaric, but here in Cut the Crab that’s how you enjoy a good meal. By sipping the sauce from your table, licking your fingers and just forget about table maners for a while. But you know what? I enjoyed every single minutes while we were there. My sister, Citra, joined us for lunch and she and Bowie really love their Crab and Lobster on a table. They made it look like a small eating competition while I had to spare the piles of empty shells.

Since we are one “small” family with such a big tummy, we have ordered the free willy seafood mix which comboed with the double trouble package menu for five person which include: five bottomless ice tea (no sugar), green mussels, lobster, crab (obviously), prawn, corn, and mushroom. We also ordered the fish and chips, one serving of broccoli , original chicken wing with mineral water for Rama and five portion of steam rice. All that for only Rp698.500 (equivalent to USD 53.06).

So if you are by chance visiting Jakarta, I would like to recommend this place for you who is a free spirit and doesn’t mind having their meal on a table. Why not try visit their place at: Senopati, Jl. Cikajang No. 32, Jakarta.